Plasmon-induced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles as photocatalyst.

Bio-fabrication of silver nanoparticles, using stem extracts of Nepeta leucophylla and their photocatalytic degradation activity, has been undertaken. The synthesized silver nanoparticles are characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The Surface Plasmon Resonance band detected at 430 nm in the ultraviolet-visible spectrum confirms the formation of silver nanoparticles in the aqueous solution. Transmission Electron and Field Emission Scanning Electron micrographs reveal that the synthesized silver nanoparticles are spherical with an average size in the range of 15-25 nm. But, the X-ray diffraction confirms the face-centred cubic structure of silver nanoparticles with an average crystal size of the nanoparticles is about 10 nm. Furthermore, the infrared spectrogram confirms that the stem extract of Nepeta leucophylla contains phenol which causes reduction of silver salt to silver nanoparticles and protein might act as an overlaying agent which prevents the agglomeration of these nanoparticles. Moreover, the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye, by using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles of optimized dose (1.8 ml) for 180 min in the presence and absence of light are 82.8% and 61.25%, respectively, specifies that the resultant photocatalyst is proved to have good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue dye from the liquid phase.

Thick target total bremsstrahlung spectra of lead compounds in the photon energy region 1-10keV by 90Sr beta particles.

Total bremsstrahlung spectral photon distribution generated in thick targets of lead compounds Pb(CH3COO)2·3H2O, Pb(NO3)2 and PbCl2 by 90Sr beta particles has been investigated theoretically and experimentally in the photon energy region 1-10keV. The experimental results are compared with the theoretical models describing ordinary bremsstrahlung and the theoretical model which includes polarization bremsstrahlung into ordinary bremsstrahlung, in stripped approximation. It is observed that the experimental results show better agreement with the model which describes bremsstrahlung in stripped approximation in the energy range 3-10keV. However, the results show positive deviation in the photon energy region of 1-3keV. Further, it has been found that there is a continuous decrease of polarization bremsstrahlung contribution into ordinary bremsstrahlung in the formation of total bremsstrahlung spectra with increase in photon energy. The suppression of polarization bremsstrahlung has been observed due to the presence of large fraction of low Z elements in the compounds. The results clearly indicate that polarization bremsstrahlung plays an important role in the formation of total bremsstrahlung spectra in compounds in the studied energy region.

Investigation of Coulombic bremsstrahlung spectra of metallic targets for the photon energy region of 1-100keV.

In the present paper, the formation of bremsstrahlung spectra by ordinary bremsstrahlung (OB) and polarization bremsstrahlung (PB) in metallic targets by (35)S beta particles has been investigated in the photon energy region of 1-100keV. From the experimental measurements and the theoretical results obtained from Elwert corrected (non-relativistic) Bethe Heitler (EBH) theory, modified Elwert factor (relativistic) (FmodBH) theories for OB and Avdonina and Pratt (FmodBH+PB) theory for total bremsstrahlung (BS) having the contribution of PB into OB, it has been found that the contribution of PB into BS in a target is limited to a low energy region only and also varies with the atomic number of target material. The FmodBH+PB theory is in agreement with the experimental results in low energy regions of the target, whereas at high energy region FmodBH is found to give better agreement. Further, the present experimental results indicate that the screening effects in the Coulombic bremsstrahlung process cannot be neglected in the high energy region, and the multiple scattering and secondary electron emissions effects in thick target are required to be taken into account in describing the bremsstrahlung process.

Gamma radiation shielding and health physics characteristics of diaspore-flyash concretes.

Different gamma radiation interaction parameters has been measured experimentally for the prepared diaspore-flyash concretes at 59.54, 662, 1173 and 1332 keV using narrow-beam transmission geometry and results are found to be in good agreement with theoretical values computed with a computer programme, WinXCom. The radiation exposure rate and absorbed dose rate for the gamma radiation with and without shielding of diaspore-flyash concretes have been determined using linear attenuation results. The results show that on average, there is reduction of 95%, 53% and 40% in dose rate for gamma sources (241)Am, (137)Cs and (60)Co, respectively with diaspore-flyash concretes as shielding material. Other health physics parameters namely equivalent dose, effective dose, gamma flux and energy fluence rate have also been determined.

Measurement of the internal bremsstrahlung spectrum of a (89)Sr beta emitter in the 1-100keV photon energy regime.

The internal bremsstrahlung (IB) spectrum of (89)Sr, which is a unique first forbidden beta emitter, is studied in the 1-100keV photon energy regime. The IB spectrum is experimentally measured using a Si(Li) detector, which is efficient in this photon energy regime, and is compared with the IB distributions that are predicted by the Knipp, Uhlenbeck and Bloch (KUB), Nilsson, and Lewis and Ford theories. In the soft energy regime up to 15keV, the measured results are in agreement with all the aforementioned theories. However, from 16-30keV, the experimental results are in agreement with the Lewis and Ford theory, which applies to forbidden transitions, and at higher photon energies, the Nilsson theory best describes the measured results. The differences among the different theories also increase with the photon energy. The effect of the electrostatic Coulomb field on the IB process for beta emitters with different end-point energies is investigated by comparing the ratio of the IB probabilities predicted using the KUB and Nilsson theories for (35)S and (89)Sr, i.e., soft and hard beta emitters, respectively. The Coulomb effect is shown to be significant in the high photon energy regime and for beta emitters with low end-point energies.

Utility of faecal calprotectin in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): what cut-offs should we apply?

BACKGROUND: Faecal calprotectin (FC), a cytosolic protein released by neutrophils (S100 family) in response to inflammation, is a simple, non-invasive test that can be used to differentiate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where there can be considerable symptom overlap. AIMS AND METHODS: The aims of the study were (1) to be able to predict the ability of FC to exclude IBD and determine cut-offs when in remission, (2) to investigate the effects of time and temperature on stability of FC and (3) compare three ELISA kits to measure FC: Buhlmann, PhiCal v1 and PhiCal v2. A total of 311 patients with altered bowel habit were tested for FC; 144 with IBS, 148 with IBD and 19 with other organic causes. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of FC (with PhiCal v2 kit) to distinguish between functional disorder (IBS) and IBD using cut-off 50 µg/g were 88% and 78%, respectively, with a negative predictive value of 87%. Area under the receiver operating curve was 0.84 (CI 0.78 to 0.90). For those with IBD, FC values below 250 µg/g corresponded with remission of disease with a sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 76%, respectively. Area under the receiver operating curve was 0.93 (CI 0.89 to 0.97). FC was stable once extracted and frozen for up to 2.5 months. Pearson correlation was good between Buhlmann assay and PhiCal v2 (r2 = 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: FC has up to 87% negative predictive value to exclude IBD, and cut-offs less than 250 µg/g had 90% sensitivity to determine remission in IBD. Once frozen, FC is stable and the ELISA monoclonal plates were broadly comparable.

Gamma radiation shielding analysis of lead-flyash concretes.

Six samples of lead-flyash concrete were prepared with lead as an admixture and by varying flyash content - 0%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% (by weight) by replacing cement and keeping constant w/c ratio. Different gamma radiation interaction parameters used for radiation shielding design were computed theoretically and measured experimentally at 662keV, 1173keV and 1332keV gamma radiation energy using narrow transmission geometry. The obtained results were compared with ordinary-flyash concretes. The radiation exposure rate of gamma radiation sources used was determined with and without lead-flyash concretes.

Effect of external magnetic field on attenuation coefficient for magnetic substances.

The measurement of attenuation coefficient of some magnetic substances, to include diamagnetic: Cu, Zn, Ag, Te, Au, Pb, and Perspex; paramagnetic: Al, Ti, Mo, Dy, Ho, and Pt and ferromagnetic substances: Fe, Co, Ni, Gd, FeO, NiO, FeS, and Fe2O3, both in the presence and absence of an external magnetic field has been carried out using narrow beam transmission geometry by using gamma ray photons of incident energy 59.54keV from 100mCi, 241Am point source. It was observed very keenly that the value of linear attenuation coefficient of various substances mentioned above decreased remarkably. It varied in the range of 1-2%, 2-6% and 6-9% for diamagnetic, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic substances respectively in the presence of an external magnetic field. Measured results elucidated it very clearly that linear attenuation coefficient at H=0T, 0.6T and 1.2T continued to decrease with a regular increase of magnetic field. It is also manifested that measurements of linear attenuation coefficient is not affected with the change in thickness of the given substance. Within error limits (1-3%) variations are observed with increases of thickness along with magnetic field. Further to it the obtained results of linear attenuation coefficient without magnetic field (H=0T) were compared with theoretical data tables of FFAST and WinXCOM. It was established that values obtained are well within the experimental errors. To the best of our knowledge no other study in relation to the effect of linear attenuation coefficient in the presence of magnetic field available as precedence.

Studies of internal bremsstrahlung spectrum of (35)S beta emitter in the photon energy region of 1-100 keV.

The internal bremsstrahlung (IB) spectral photon distribution, produced by soft beta particles of (35)S (Wmax=164keV), in the photon energy region of 1-100keV, is measured by using a Si(Li) detector, having high energy resolution and efficiency at low energy region. The measured spectral IB photon distribution is compared with KUB theory and Coulomb corrected IB theories given by Nilsson, and Lewis and Ford. After applying the necessary corrections, the experimental and theoretical IB spectral photon distributions are compared in terms of the number of IB photon of energy k per moc(2) per unit photon yield. In the low energy region (below 10keV), the experimental results are in agreement with all the theories. However, in photon energy region of 10-50keV, experimental results are in agreement with Coulomb corrected Nilsson theory only, within the experimental errors. Further, beyond 50keV, the Nilsson theory is more close to the experimental results than the KUB, and the Lewis and Ford theories. Hence, the Nilsson theory is more accurate than the other theories given by KUB and Lewis and Ford, particularly at a high energy end. The experimental results reported here with Si(Li) detector are free from number of ambiguities in earlier measurements reported with NaI(Tl) and HPGe detectors. The present results are indicating a relook into the theoretical considerations, given by different theories, while taking into account the Coulomb corrections for predicting the IB spectrum, particularly at high photon energy region.

Simplified two media method: a modified approach for measuring linear attenuation coefficient of odd shaped archaeological samples of unknown thickness.

Linear attenuation coefficients of regular as well as irregular shaped archaeological samples of FaLG (flyash-lime-gypsum) of unknown thickness have been measured employing 'simplified two media' method. Seven different liquid materials plus air have been used as media to measure attenuation coefficient of these samples. Obtained results have been compared with those for regular shaped samples. Experimental values have also been compared with theoretical values calculated from FFAST and XCOM. A good agreement has been observed between experimental and theoretical values. Present measurements employing 'simplified two media' method have been reported for the first time for checking its validation and reliability.

The usefulness of Conners' Rating Scales-Revised in screening for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children with intellectual disabilities and borderline intelligence.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are believed to be common in children with intellectual disabilities (ID). Conners' Rating Scales are widely used for screening ADHD among children who do not have ID, but little is known about their usefulness among children with ID. AIMS: To find cut-off scores for the Conners' Parent Rating Scales-Revised (CPRS-R) and the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised (CTRS-R) that will give optimum levels of sensitivity and specificity for screening for ADHD among children with ID and borderline intelligence. METHOD: Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to compare a clinical diagnosis of ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 4th revision-Text Review criteria with scores according to the CPRS-R and the CTRS-R. RESULTS: Among children with ID, a CPRS-R total score of 42 provided a sensitivity of 0.9 and a specificity of 0.67 with an area under the curve of 0.84. Similarly, a CTRS-R total score of 40 provided a sensitivity of 0.69 and a specificity of 0.67 with an area under the curve of 0.71. There was poor concordance between the CPRS-R and the CTRS-R total scores (Intraclass Correlation; ICC = 0.17). There were statistically significant differences in the total score of the CPRS-R and most of its sub-scores between children with ID with and without ADHD. The CTRS-R total score and its sub-scores did not show any statistically significant difference between two groups. Factor analysis showed three clinically distinct factors for both the CPRS-R and the CTRS-R items, although the CPRS-R factors were better and had less item overlap than the CTRS-R factors. CONCLUSIONS: The CPRS-R scores may distinguish between children with ID with and without ADHD but not the CTRS-R scores. Many items in the CPRS-R and the CTRS-R are not applicable to children with severe and profound ID who do not have speech. The CPRS-R and the CTRS-R scores did not correlate with each other. There is a need to develop an ADHD screening instrument specifically for children with ID.

The amino-terminal domain of desmoplakin binds to plakoglobin and clusters desmosomal cadherin-plakoglobin complexes.

The desmosome is a highly organized plasma membrane domain that couples intermediate filaments to the plasma membrane at regions of cell-cell adhesion. Desmosomes contain two classes of cadherins, desmogleins, and desmocollins, that bind to the cytoplasmic protein plakoglobin. Desmoplakin is a desmosomal component that plays a critical role in linking intermediate filament networks to the desmosomal plaque, and the amino-terminal domain of desmoplakin targets desmoplakin to the desmosome. However, the desmosomal protein(s) that bind the amino-terminal domain of desmoplakin have not been identified. To determine if the desmosomal cadherins and plakoglobin interact with the amino-terminal domain of desmoplakin, these proteins were co-expressed in L-cell fibroblasts, cells that do not normally express desmosomal components. When expressed in L-cells, the desmosomal cadherins and plakoglobin exhibited a diffuse distribution. However, in the presence of an amino-terminal desmoplakin polypeptide (DP-NTP), the desmosomal cadherins and plakoglobin were observed in punctate clusters that also contained DP-NTP. In addition, plakoglobin and DP-NTP were recruited to cell-cell interfaces in L-cells co-expressing a chimeric cadherin with the E-cadherin extracellular domain and the desmoglein-1 cytoplasmic domain, and these cells formed structures that were ultrastructurally similar to the outer plaque of the desmosome. In transient expression experiments in COS cells, the recruitment of DP-NTP to cell borders by the chimera required co-expression of plakoglobin. Plakoglobin and DP-NTP co-immunoprecipitated when extracted from L-cells, and yeast two hybrid analysis indicated that DP-NTP binds directly to plakoglobin but not Dsg1. These results identify a role for desmoplakin in organizing the desmosomal cadherin-plakoglobin complex and provide new insights into the hierarchy of protein interactions that occur in the desmosomal plaque.

The past, present, and future of lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The history of lung transplantation from the first human transplant performed in 1963 to the present is reviewed with particular focus on the added challenges because of the contaminated bronchus, exposure of the graft to airborne organisms, the poor blood supply to the bronchus, and the problem of reperfusion pulmonary edema. METHODS: The technical aspects of single and double sequential lung transplantation are reviewed, as are the current indications for single, double sequential, and heart/lung transplantation. Criteria for lung transplant recipients, in addition to their primary disease are noted, as are absolute and relative contraindications. The standard criteria for donor selection are also reviewed. RESULTS: The results of single, double sequential, and heart-lung transplantation over the past 10 years as reported by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Database are reviewed. In addition, the statistics of the lung and heart-lung transplantation program at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center are reviewed, including the current immunosuppressive regimens and early and late monitoring for infection and rejection. This experience includes 3 early deaths in the first 53 patients for an operative mortality of 5.6%, with a 1-year actuarial survival of 90%. CONCLUSIONS: During the past decade remarkable improvement in the result of single and double sequential lung transplantation have occurred. As 1-year, actuarial survival is now approaching 90% at some institutions. Living related lobar transplantation, new antirejection agents, chimerism, and xenograft transplantation are areas for continuing and future investigation. The shortage in donor organ supply continues to be a very significant factor in limiting human lung transplantation.

Outbreak of mycotic tracheitis in domestic fowl.

An outbreak of mycotic tracheitis was observed in 8000 2-month-old, female White Leghorn birds. The birds were showing difficult respiration and there was mortality of 7-8 birds daily in the flock. On post-mortem examination of the affected birds, the trachea was found to be occluded with a white caseous mass. Microscopically hyphae were found invading the tracheal epithelium, cartilage and serosal layer along with infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated in pure culture from the trachea. The birds responded to oral copper sulphate treatment. The ubiquitous occurrence of the organism and the conditions of the harvesting season have been found to be responsible for the outbreak of the disease.

In vivo pelvimetry in buffaloes (Bos bubalus).

The comparison of external and internal, pelvimetry measurement was performed on 79, buffalo heifers, and a high, positive correlation (r=0.90) between the two methods was revealed. The pelvic area of the buffalo heifers increased progressively with the advancing age and with the increase in body weight. The convenience with which external pelvimetry could be performed, the simplicity of the equipment which was used and the accuracy of the method would certainly favor the application of external pelvimetry for routine use.

Histochemical localization of enzymes in the stigma and style of Gossypium hirsutum L. during pre- and post-pollination stages.

The distributional pattern of some enzymes (esterase, beta-D-galactosidase, succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase) is described in the dry stigma and closed style of Gossypium Hirsutum L. during pre- and post-pollination stages. All the four enzymes indicated granular reaction and increased activity in the transmitting tissue and its surrounding cells during post pollinated stage. The possible physiological role of these enzymes in pollen tube growth in vivo in stigma and style is discussed.

The cause and prevention of electrical burns of the mouth in children. A protective cuff.

An epidemiological review of electrical burns of the mouth in children pinpoints the cause to the female end of extension cords. The use of a protective cuff, designed to prevent these disfiguring injuries, is suggested.